For those of you that don’t already know, Channel 4’s new channel, 4seven launched today (4/7/12) on Freesat channel 127.

The channel, originally discussed here and here allows you to catch up on programmes you might have missed from the past 7 days across the Channel 4 suite of channels. The programmes selected to be shown are those that Channel 4 deem are the best from the past 7 days.

We thought they might have opted for channel 147 on Freesat to keep the “theme” going (they picked 47 on Freeview) but clearly they preferred to just keep all their ducks in a row!!!

4seven goes live at 7pm tonight and will be automatically added to your Freesat receiver today or over night. To ensure you have the channel at launch tonight, you will need to do a manual scan from within your Freesat receivers menu.

I find it an interesting move by Channel 4 given that the onus is very much on Internet based services, especially on-demand, so launching an essentially analogue (in technological comparison to Internet) channel to do the same as what they already have is strange; plus with YouView and Freesat G2 around the corner. Proof as you say will be how it performs.

admin said:
I find it an interesting move by Channel 4 given that the onus is very much on Internet based services, especially on-demand, so launching an essentially analogue (in technological comparison to Internet) channel to do the same as what they already have is strange; plus with YouView and Freesat G2 around the corner. Proof as you say will be how it performs.

Interesting, indeed.

How many non-PC devices have 4OD? (I don’t own any.)

Also how many programmes are shown on TV that Channel 4 don’t have the rights to publish on 4OD? There was at least one show that I wanted to watch on E4 but forgot to record … and then couldn’t find on 4OD on my PC.

Channel4 did commission an HD logo and graphics to be created for it and having seen the HD logo for 4Seven, i would expect it to happen sometime soon, possibly after the Paralympics.
Liking the onscreen logo too, looks nice i think

ian said: Post 5 isn’t mine, may i just say.Channel4 did commission an HD logo and graphics to be created for it and having seen the HD logo for 4Seven, i would expect it to happen sometime soon, possibly after the Paralympics.Liking the onscreen logo too, looks nice i think

I agree there, C4 want to give this channel as much exposure as possible and a HD variant would achieve that.

What’s everyone’s opinions? Obviously it only shows what’s already been transmit so nothing new but quite like the idents and graphics. That ‘7’ in the DOG needs toning down somewhat!

admin said:
I find it an interesting move by Channel 4 given that the onus is very much on Internet based services, especially on-demand, so launching an essentially analogue (in technological comparison to Internet) channel to do the same as what they already have is strange; plus with YouView and Freesat G2 around the corner. Proof as you say will be how it performs.

I think there i still a large proportion of people who can’t get online services, I think Youview is specifying a minimum of 3Mbps? I’m trundling along on 800Kbps, like I have done for 8 years! A lot of people (in Wales especially!) are left befuddled as to *why* there is actually so much emphasis on online and streaming services.

Chris said: I think there i still a large proportion of people who can’t get online services, I think Youview is specifying a minimum of 3Mbps? I’m trundling along on 800Kbps, like I have done for 8 years! A lot of people (in Wales especially!) are left befuddled as to *why* there is actually so much emphasis on online and streaming services.

Well said, I don’t watch tv on my computer, and don’t intend too, its not the same as viewing a 40″ tv set. Basically my internet is also too slow like many people

Chris said: A lot of people (in Wales especially!) are left befuddled as to *why* there is actually so much emphasis on online and streaming services.

Cost basically, so much cheaper for broadcasters to allow access via the net. They like to think that 99% of the UK have good broadband when reality they don’t. Most of these decisions are made in London where speeds are vastly better.

Roger said”Well said, I don’t watch tv on my computer, and don’t intend too, its not the same as viewing a 40″ tv set. Basically my internet is also too slow like many people.”

It’s exactly the same if your 42″ flat screen tv is also a computer monitor. Many are. AOl HD videos on Samsung Smart Hub Tv’s and Blu-ray players are superb quality better than most broadcast HD. The only thing that concerns me is going over my 40gig Talk Talk data allowance what with iPlayer and YouTube videos to watch as well as internet radio to listen to. Fast broadband is being rolled out nationwide not just in London. It partly depends on how far you are from the exchange not just living in a particular part of the country. There will always be some people who cannot get good broadband speeds unfortunately but the vast majority can or will soon. I live in rural mid Fife near the Lomond hills and farms and the broadband is fast enough for iPlayer better quality no problem.

Neil said: I agree there, C4 want to give this channel as much exposure as possible and a HD variant would achieve that.
What’s everyone’s opinions? Obviously it only shows what’s already been transmit so nothing new but quite like the idents and graphics. That ’7′ in the DOG needs toning down somewhat!

I think they have it right in terms of the onscreen logo. Its giving more of an emphasis onto the 7 part as opposed to the others they have where its all the same.
Nice PQ but yes, a HD version is a must, but i know they are waiting to see it it will be as successful as they need it to be before they go the HD route with it.
(My friend at Channel4 is speaking to me again )

Richard Crichton said:
Roger said”Well said, I don’t watch tv on my computer, and don’t intend too, its not the same as viewing a 40″ tv set. Basically my internet is also too slow like many people.”
It’s exactly the same if your 42″ flat screen tv is also a computer monitor. Many are. AOl HD videos on Samsung Smart Hub Tv’s and Blu-ray players are superb quality better than most broadcast HD. The only thing that concerns me is going over my 40gig Talk Talk data allowance what with iPlayer and YouTube videos to watch as well as internet radio to listen to. Fast broadband is being rolled out nationwide not just in London. It partly depends on how far you are from the exchange not just living in a particular part of the country. There will always be some people who cannot get good broadband speeds unfortunately but the vast majority can or will soon. I live in rural mid Fife near the Lomond hills and farms and the broadband is fast enough for iPlayer better quality no problem.

Doesn’t cost much extra to have unlimited broadband on talktalk plus plan like i have.

ian said: I think they have it right in terms of the onscreen logo. Its giving more of an emphasis onto the 7 part as opposed to the others they have where its all the same.
Nice PQ but yes, a HD version is a must, but i know they are waiting to see it it will be as successful as they need it to be before they go the HD route with it.
(My friend at Channel4 is speaking to me again )

They’ve got a healthy bitrate and your right that SD-wise it does look good, was only thinking that last night! I’m also led to believe the same, C4 have their minds pretty focused on the Paralympics at the moment so if a HD variant does come to fruition I’d expect it after the games have finished. It will be interesting to see the channel’s viewing figures once it’s had time to bed in, they are certainly pushing it a fair bit promotion-wise now.

Lee S said: Doesn’t cost much extra to have unlimited broadband on talktalk plus plan like i have.

And the nice people at Talktalk have just given me a years worth of Lovefilm streaming for nowt, saving £60. If you are on the plus package, you can claim this offering too, its an advert from within your account page.

Sorry Admin, I don’t know if this is allowed. It’s not strictly advertising, just giving existing subscribers something for free with no strings.

Neil said: They’ve got a healthy bitrate and your right that SD-wise it does look good, was only thinking that last night! I’m also led to believe the same, C4 have their minds pretty focused on the Paralympics at the moment so if a HD variant does come to fruition I’d expect it after the games have finished. It will be interesting to see the channel’s viewing figures once it’s had time to bed in, they are certainly pushing it a fair bit promotion-wise now.

If what im hearing is right, then HD from Channel4 Television will be alot more by the time 2012 is over with. Alot more accessible to all..(If you get my drift)
Yes they are focused on bringing the UK audience the best Paralympic Games we have seen and i think they will surpass that.
Also told the Paralympic channels WILL be on Freesat aswell, like the BBC one’s will be soon.

ian said: If what im hearing is right, then HD from Channel4 Television will be alot more by the time 2012 is over with. Alot more accessible to all..(If you get my drift)Yes they are focused on bringing the UK audience the best Paralympic Games we have seen and i think they will surpass that.Also told the Paralympic channels WILL be on Freesat aswell, like the BBC one’s will be soon.

That’s good news, I guess the budget for some of this is tied in with the Paralympics. My contacts within the organisation aren’t within the same circles as yours so you probably know more than me in that respect. Good to hear their HD streams will also be on Freesat too as I heard they were going to be FTA.

I really do not see the point in this channel.
More4 repeats all the C4 programmes and C4+1 is ideal for anyone who misses the “live” transmission. Catch-up and PVR should be enough to let anyone catch any programme.
Pointless.

JoeD said:
I really do not see the point in this channel.
More4 repeats all the C4 programmes and C4+1 is ideal for anyone who misses the “live” transmission. Catch-up and PVR should be enough to let anyone catch any programme.
Pointless.

I guess some people don’t read all the previous post’s as they’d understand some people don’t have fast internet connections, & not everyone in the current economic environment can afford £200 on a PVR.

So to some people with hectic schedules it maybe the perfect way to catch up on channel 4’s best programs!

Just had a look at the EPG – seems to be nothing but repeats of people eating. Shouldn’t it have a channel number somewhere in the 600s?
What has happened to C4? Used to be a great TV company but I can’t remember the last time I watched any of their family of channels.

Alan from Otley, Leeds said:
@Alexander Says:
July 8th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
How many consecutive repeats of “Deal or no deal” can you show in one day. What a waste of air time! We’d rather have another HD channel with good quality programs than this rubbish.
Got to agree with the comments above. Come on Freesat Quality is needed not Quantity.

Program quality has nothing to do with Freesat as it’s just an EPG vendor. If the TV companies don’t want to put their HD channels on Freesat there is nothing Freesat can do about it.

OK. – Help no longer needed. – Finally found it. – Been monitoring the channel for a few days now. Haven’t seen one single programme I would be interested in watching. – Maybe it should be renamed “The Jamie Oliver Channel.” – When will broadcasters accept that many people simply want ENTERTAINMENT. – Not a continuous drip feed of repeats about cooking, antiques, property sales or the mind numbing ‘reality shows’ like Big Brother. – From now on I’ll be givig this channel a big swerve.